Humpy Stepping Down
May 21, 2008 by Tim Zaegel
Filed under Racing
With all of the excitement and hype surrounding this weekend’s running of the Coca Cola 600, it will also mark a sad day in the NASCAR world. Humpy Wheeler, legendary innovator for modern day stock car racing and track President of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, has announced that he will be calling it quits after Saturday night’s race.
The 69 year old Wheeler, who first came to work for what was then Charlotte Motor Speedway back in 1975, was named the track president in 1980. Some of his crowning achievements since taking the helm at the track include for running the first night race at a superspeedway back in 1992, as well as bringing a luxurious appeal to motorsports through his extensive sale of luxury suites and trackside condominiums.
Wheeler will be succeeded by Marcus Smith, son of Speedway Motorsports Inc and track owner, Bruton Smith. Marcus as served as SMI’s executive vice president of national sales and marketing since 2004.
